Stress_Test
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2008
- Messages
- 1,334
(This may be relevant to those looking at mag upgrades)
I've got a red Mag 3D that I've probably had for at least 10 years. It's seen only occasional brief use during that time (it was useful for running off two teens who were messing with my dog one night) and I decided it was time to give it some love!
I got one of the 3W Mag led drop-ins from target for about 20 bucks. (I had a leftover target giftcard that still had 8$ on it, so that gave me a good excuse to do this!) I grabbed a 10 pack of Rayovac D cells too, so that should hold me a while!
Anyway, I played with the converted mag for a while and re-learned a few things I had forgotten about it.
One, this is definitely not a light for close range work. I'd say it's got a minimum comfortable operating range of maybe 10-15 feet. There's a really bright hotspot in the center with a dim spill beam around it. At close range the hotspot kind of blinds you and you can't see stuff in the spill very well. Also, despite being adjustable, you can't really get a good flood beam for close range; I remembered the incan bulb was the same way.
The other thing was the heft. It's fine for short term but you sure wouldn't want to have it in your hand all day. I didn't really notice it while I was playing around with it, but when I used my Minimag afterwards it felt like a toothpick in my hands! All in all though the 3D to me is just one of those "feel good" lights that I like to have around.
It was interesting to compare the beam to the 2AA Minimag led. Both lights are advertised as 3 watts. The mini has a much better flood beam for close range, probably due to it's more modern reflecter vs. the old 3D. However, the surprising thing is, when you compare the mini and 3D side by side, you see that the 3D spill is almost the same brightness as the mini's flood area. And the 3D has a significantly bigger spill area. The 3D spill is good for lighting up the area in front of your feet even if the hot spot is shooting further out ahead (a plus for walking).
I'll have to take the 3D out at night soon to check it out in wide open areas and at longer ranges. It's tough to evaluate indoors!
Anyway, I was pumped about this little mod that gets my old 3D back in the game!
Whew that was long. Thanks for reading!
See ya.
I've got a red Mag 3D that I've probably had for at least 10 years. It's seen only occasional brief use during that time (it was useful for running off two teens who were messing with my dog one night) and I decided it was time to give it some love!
I got one of the 3W Mag led drop-ins from target for about 20 bucks. (I had a leftover target giftcard that still had 8$ on it, so that gave me a good excuse to do this!) I grabbed a 10 pack of Rayovac D cells too, so that should hold me a while!
Anyway, I played with the converted mag for a while and re-learned a few things I had forgotten about it.
One, this is definitely not a light for close range work. I'd say it's got a minimum comfortable operating range of maybe 10-15 feet. There's a really bright hotspot in the center with a dim spill beam around it. At close range the hotspot kind of blinds you and you can't see stuff in the spill very well. Also, despite being adjustable, you can't really get a good flood beam for close range; I remembered the incan bulb was the same way.
The other thing was the heft. It's fine for short term but you sure wouldn't want to have it in your hand all day. I didn't really notice it while I was playing around with it, but when I used my Minimag afterwards it felt like a toothpick in my hands! All in all though the 3D to me is just one of those "feel good" lights that I like to have around.
It was interesting to compare the beam to the 2AA Minimag led. Both lights are advertised as 3 watts. The mini has a much better flood beam for close range, probably due to it's more modern reflecter vs. the old 3D. However, the surprising thing is, when you compare the mini and 3D side by side, you see that the 3D spill is almost the same brightness as the mini's flood area. And the 3D has a significantly bigger spill area. The 3D spill is good for lighting up the area in front of your feet even if the hot spot is shooting further out ahead (a plus for walking).
I'll have to take the 3D out at night soon to check it out in wide open areas and at longer ranges. It's tough to evaluate indoors!
Anyway, I was pumped about this little mod that gets my old 3D back in the game!
Whew that was long. Thanks for reading!
See ya.
